Wednesday, January 16, 2013

CLEBURNE -- Last Sunday, members of New Heart Family Worship Center elected Claude Gilliland III to senior pastor. Some now say they didn't know he's a convicted sex offender.
The founder and retiring leader of the little church in Cleburne said there was no intent to hide Gilliland's past."There's nothing that was ever kept secret," Carl Roye said. "He said
two weeks ago, 'I've got a dark, dark past, and if anybody wants to know
about it, you just ask me and I'll be glad to tell you.'"
Pastor Carl Roye said Gilliland told church leaders about his past when
they interviewed him this summer. He said he served four years in prison
for sexual assault involving his now-former wife.
"We thought we'd let the congregation get to know him first, then tell
them," Roye said. "We thought it would be best if he told them."
Weeks passed. Then in October, a Cleburne newspaper published photos of
registered sex offenders, including Gilliland. Roye said no church
members complained.
"He's asked God to forgive him. He's told us he asked God to forgive him," Roye said. "I take him at his word for it."
But now that he's been elected senior pastor, some question whether
Gilliland should be around children, or whether his presence will keep
the church from growing. Child Molesters never stop having sexual thoughts with a child.
Roye said this is a story of redemption, not scandal.
Pastor Roye is 72 and in failing health. He needs someone to take over
the church, and lead the roughly 85 worshipers who regularly attend. He
said Gilliland offered to resign, if it would help the church. Roye said
the church board told him to stay.

Information

Information as of 06/27/2012

Name :

Claude Clay Gilliland

Conviction Date :

05/20/1993

Address :

210 Rose, Cleburne, TX 76033

Date of Birth :

01/14/1958

Verification Requirement :

ANNUALLY

Risk Level :

NOT REPORTED

Sex :

MALE

Race :

WHITE

Height :

6'2"

Weight :

160 lbs

Hair :

BROWN

Eye :

GREEN

Shoe :

13 D

Violations

Victim Sex:

FEMALE

Victim Age:

15

Offense:

TX:11990001 SEXUAL ASSAULT

Citation:

TEXAS PENAL CODE 22.011 (A)(1)

Discharge :

YES

Status :

UNKNOWN

Disposition Date :

05/20/1993

Education

School

Address

NONE

Occupation

Employer

Occupation

Address

PETRO RUBBER

MILL OPERATOR

1401 SOUTH BROADWAY JOSHUA TX

"I think God sent him to this church to molest more children," Roye said. "I really believe that."